-l warner



N. L. WARNER.

mcume ron PACKING MATCHES.

APPLICATION FILED IULY9, I920.

Patented Sept. 20, 1921.

13 SHEETS-SHEET I.

I NYE/V TOR Noah/Z. Whm n BY @MZM' Arron/15g;

PatentedSept. 20,1921

$3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N. L. WARNER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY9,1920- MACHINE FOR PACKING MATCHES.

A TTORNEYS.

N. L. WARNER.

MACHINE FOR PAQKING MATCHES.

APPLICATION FILE-D. JULY 9, 1920.

Patented Sept. 20, 1921.

13 SHEETS-$HEEI 3.

- INVENTOR. JvoalhllT Varner,

lllll IL A TTORNEYS.

N. L. WARNER.

MACHINE FOR PACKING MATCHES.

APPLICATION "LED JULY 9, I920.

Patented Sept. 20,1921.

3 SHEETSSHEEI 4- INVENTOR, JVoaJv I. W/Za'n/e r,

ATTORNEYS.

N. L. WARNER;

MACHINE FOR PACKING MATCHES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 9, 1 920. 1,391,225, PatentedSept. 20, 1921..

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IN V EN TOR.

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N.. L. WARNER. MACHINE FOR PACKING MATCHES.

' APPLICATION mzowurs, 1920.

Patentedsept. 20,1921.

' 13 SHEETS-SHE 6- TOR. (2717/87;

Jl ba/l'uiW CT A TTORNEYS.

N. L. WARNER.

MACHINE FOR PACKING MATCHES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 9, 1920.

1,391 $25. PatentedSept. 20, 1921;

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.i f f IINVENTOR. JVOaJz/Z. Warn/er,

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I MACHINE FOR PACKING MATCHES.

APPLICATION FILED JULYQ, 1920.

PatentedSept. 20; 1921.

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MACHINE FOR PACKING MATCHES.

APPLICATION map JULY 9. 1920.

PatentedSeptL 20, 1921.

13 SHEETS-SHEET 10.

jVoa/ilW r APPLICATION FILED JULY 9,1920.

Patentedsept. 20, 192 1.

13 SHEETS-SHEET l1.

ATTORNEYS.

I N.-L. WARNER. MACHINE FOR PACKING MATCHES.

APPLICATION mzo JULY 9. 1920- 1,391,225. PatentedSept. 20, 1921. l3 SHEETS-Suit! 12.

INVENT OR JVOd/Z/L, VVa/rner N. L. WARNER.

MACHINE FOR PACKING MA-TCHES.

APPLICATION FILED JULYQ, 1920.

PatentedSept. 20,1921.

1:: SHEETS-SHEET Ia.

U m 3 3 a IMF/170R UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

NOAH L. WARNER, or ASHLANI), 011110, .assroivon To THE RELIABLE MATCH com- IPANY, OF ASHLAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

MACHINE FOR PACKING MATCHES.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 20, 1921 Application'flled July 9, 1920. Serial No. 395,141.

To all whom it may concern:

Be'it'known that I, NOAH L. WARNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ashl-and, in the county of Ashland and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Packing Matches, of whichthe following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

"This invention relates to machines for packing matches.

Heretofore it has been the practice to feed matches from the match-producing machineinto and through the match-packing machine with the matches in a large mass aszthey pass from entrance to discharge in the packing machine.

Oneserious objection to this has been that if anywhere along the line one or more matches fired the fire wouldbe free to travel throughout the entire 'mass. and burn up a great quantity of matches.

The first object of my invention is to overcome this serious fault, and this I do by subdividing the mass of matches into separate distinct quantities so that if a fire occurs it will be confined to the particular quantity of matches where it originated. In practice I have found this to be an important provision.

This subdivision of-tlie matches into distinct quantities I find also facilitates feeding them into the match boxes, as I regulate the respective quantities to constitute each about one-half a box. When each quantity arrives at ,a predetermined point it is discharged into its appropriate box and half fills the box, so that with each discharge each box is half filled and when each box has receivedtwo discharges it is completely filled. This subdivision of the matches into distinct quantitiesfacilitates and im-- proves this operation.

In carrying out thisfirst object, I employ what I term a divider, an instrumentality'which enters into the body of the mass of matches and separates therefrom a distinct, quantity.

Another object of my invention is the provision of what I term slides, being a part of the endlessfeeding mechanism by which the matches are advanced through the trough or receptacle and which slides 00- operate with the divider in the subdivision of the mass into distinct quantities 0 matches.

Another feature of my invention comprises what I term gates, which are located in the discharge openings of the match trough and act to permit of the discharge of each distinct quantity of matches when it arrives at the discharge opening in the trough. These gates perform the double function of forming a continuation of the trough bottom when closed and permitting of the discharge of the'distinct quantity of the matches when open; and also of acting to guide the matches into the mouth of the boxes.

Another feature of my invention comprises packing devices by which, as each quantity of matches is fed into a box, the quantity is packed or settled down firmly and properly in the box, so that when the outer member of the box is slid over the box proper the matches will not interfere and yet the box will be entirely full.

Another feature of my invention is the provision of means for spreading the oppositewalls of'the boxes somewhat apart so that no matter whether the boxes have had their walls bent in by accident, as is often the case, the boxes w1ll nevertheless readily slip over the rim which projects below and about the discharge opening.

In addition to these major features there are many other improvements which go to refine and complete my machine in its entirety. I

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of my machine;

Fig. Q'is' an enlarged detail side elevation of a part of the machine showing particularly the feed trough, the blades and the operating mechanism therefor; and the box table and adjunct devices;

Fig. 3. isan enlarged partlal section and vider and the blades in their successive posichain and blades showing a batch of matches about to be emptied;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view, taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7, and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 9; is a plan view of one of the match boxes looking into it;

. Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail view, partly in transverse section and partly in elevation, on the line 1010 of Fig. 1, showing partic'ularly the trough, chain drum, blades, divider and mechanism for operating the blades and the divider;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional View showing one of the blades and the means for locking it in different positions;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the chain, one of the blades and the locking device therefor;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view on the line 1313 of Fig. 1, showing one of the chain drums, the chain and its blades, and the mechanism for feeding the chain step by step;

Fig. 1415 a vertical sectional view through this drum and the chain links;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view on the line 15.15 of Fig. 1, showing one of the chain drums and its adjacent parts, including the gate operating mechanism;

Fig. 16 is an elevation of one of the chain drums and adjacent parts including devices for opening and closing the gates;

Fig. 17 is a detail sectional view on the line 17-17 of Fig. lshowing part of the mechanism for imparting a rotary reciprocating and up and down motion to the box table; I

Fig. 18 is a detail sectional view on the line 18 18 of Fig. 21 showing the step by step motion for the box table;

Fig. 19 is an enlarged plan view of the box table with the boxes thereon, the spreading device to spread the walls of bent-in and cam used to elevate the box table and also rotate it step by step;

Fig. 23 is an end view of the box spreader and of a box which is about to pass under the spreader;

Fig. 24: is a detail view of the packing devices;

Fig. 25 is a plan view of the several shafts and the gearing and cams carried and operated thereby; and I Fig. 26 is a detail sectional view illustrating the means of driving from the master shaft to the line shaft.

In the accompanying drawings'the present invention is well illustrated. At the right of Fig. 1 is illustrated part of a match-making machine, from the trough 1 V 7 and endless feed chain 2 of which the matches are delivered to the machine illustrated at the left, which comprises my invention. The matches first enter the inclined chute 3, of my machine, which is given a shaking -motion to facilitate the movement of the mass of matches which are gathered into it. This motion is imparted to it by its connection with the trough 1 of the other machine which itself has a vibrating or reciprocating motion. This chute 3 is equipped with a device 4 for spreading the mass of matches. This spreader is composed of a pair of rods loosely hung at one end on across pin 5 and at the other end on a shaft 6 having rollers 7 which travel back and forth on plates 8 secured to the sides of the chute 3. The spreader is given a back and forth motion by the shaft 6 and an up and down motion by sliding on the rod 5 and said shaft. As the matches come down the chute in a thick mass, their heads all in one direction, the spreader acts to somewhat flatten out the mass and cause the matches to lie more evenly together.

The chute is further equipped with a pusher comprised of a plate 9 having a pro- 'jection 10 to enter between the matches and facilitate the action of the pusher in advanc- 6 before referred to passes through or is otherwise connected with the plate 9 so as to receive a reciprocating motion and so as to support that portion of thepusher. The pusher is reciprocated and tilted on the shaft 6 by a crank pin 11 carried by a disk 12 on a shaft 13 mounted in a suitable bearing 14 supported by a standard 14 secured tothe bed 23 and having a pulley 15 by which it is driven through a. cord belt 12? (F igs. 1, 5 and 6) operated by'a groove pulley 12 on a master driving shaft 15 mounted in brackets 16 secured'to the-bed;

of the machine. The wrist pin enters a bearing 16 carried by the pusher so that when the wrist pin is rotated it reciprocates the pusher and at the same time tilts it on the shaft 6. The direction of rotation of the wrist pin is counterclockwise so as to raise the lower end of the pusher out of contact with the matches on the return stroke of the pusher.

The chute 3 is further provided with a presser for holding down or depressing the mass of matches while the divider, to be presentlymentioned, isentering the mass.

This pressor is comprised of a pair of bars 17 pivoted at 18 on studs supported by plates 19 secured to the chute. This presser swings on pivots and by its gravity sufficiently presses upon the matches to hold them from being lifted out of the chute and trough, while the divider is entering the mass'of matches. 7 I

As stated, one end of the chutev 3 is connected with the trough 1 of the match making machine. The other end is supported upon-a rock arm 20 carried by a shaft 21 supported on a standard 22 mounted on the main frame 23.

This frame comprises a heavy plate of metalsupported upon legs 24 braced by members 25. It is on this bed 23 that the functional. mechanisms are carried.

A match-carrier trough26 is suitably supported on the standards 22 and 27. The

matches are'fed into this trough from the chute 3 over a thin bridge plate 28, see Figs.

1, 3, 4 and 5. The vibration of the chute 3 and the action 'of the spreader 4 and pusher 9 cause the mass of matches to move into the trough 26. After the mass of matches has moved a short distance into this trough 26 a portion of the mass is divided off from the remainder. This important function is performed by a device I call a divider. (See Figs. 3 and 4 particularly.) The chute 3 has in its bottom a slot 29 in line with a similar slot 30 in the bottom of the trough 26. A divider 31 enters this slot when in normal or first position, as shown at the right in Fig. 3. Its operating devices are sotimed that the divider will rise and enterthe slot 29 to its second position, as shown in dotted lines in Figs. 3 and 4 and pass up through the body of matches. This separates a given quantity a of matches from the rest. The divider then moves along the trough 26 until it reaches the third position shown in dotted lines, by'which time it will have partially opened, its members slightly parting. By. this time one of the carrier blades 33 will have descended to the position shown at d. (Fig. 4.) Both the di- 'vider and this blade will now travel along until the divider reaches the fourth position shown in dotted lines and the blade reaches the position shown at 6. During thesemovements the quantity of matches a, which has been cut off fromthe oncoming quantity at the right of the divider in its second position, will have been moved first to the position shown at b and thence and now to the position shown at c. I

The next step is the withdrawal of the divider from this fourth position to the fifth position shown in full lines in Fig. 4. It will then return to the first position shown in Fig. 4. This cycle of operations will continue as the machine is operated.

In this way one succession of quantities of matches after another is divided off from the mass and each quantity placedin position to beembraced between each two slides.

Vfiien the divider is withdrawn from the fourth position to the fifth the matches in the batch now positioned at 0 will settle down and fill in the space between the two adjacent blades 33, which thus constitute a pair of match conveying devices. I r

The detail construction of the particular form of divider illustrated and the mechanism by which these motions are imparted to the divider will now be given.

The divider comprises a pair of arms or levers which'meet to form a point at 34 and are pivoted at 35 to a head 36 mounted on a slide 37, in turn carried by a support 38 sustained by a column 39 mountedin bearings 4O suitably mounted on the base 23. A spring 41 acts on the divider arms to keep them normally closed at their upper ends. They commence to spread apart at the time when one of the slides33 is approaching them and continue gradually to open until they reach the fourth position shown in Figs. 3 and 4, by which time the adjacent slide will have entered between them. This is done by means of a shaft 42 carrying an eccentric-43 which when rotated spreads the arms apart. A crank 43 on the shaft 42 carries a roller 43 which contacts with a cam plate 43 secured to the trough 26. This contact of the roller 43 with this cam plate commences at the time when the divider has reached thethird position shownin Figs. 3 and 4. As the divider moves on to the fourth position the contact of the roller 43 with the cam plate 43 continues.

WVhen the divider has been withdrawn from the trough the roller 43 will have passed beyond the cam plate 43 when the spring 41 will snap the divider members together, throwing the crank 43 back to normal position.

Guard-plates 44 are attached to the divider to prevent any possible match or piece of a match that might escape from the chute 3 or trough 26 from getting caught in any of the moving parts connected with the divider. These guards are made of thin spring metal so that they will yield should they touch any adjacent part and thus shake the divider to dislodge any small fragments of matches or the inflammable head.

I will now refer to the mechanism by which the divider is moved vertically into and out of the chute and trough and moved horizontally from one position to another. This mechanism is best shownin Figs. 1, 3

and 10. To effect the vertical adjustment 6 of the divider the shaft 39 is moved up and down. Its lower end terminates in bifurcated members which straddle a line shaft 145 carrying a cam 47 which acts on a cam roller 48 connected to the bifurcated members 45, so that when the cam is rotated it elevates and lowers the shaft and with it the support 38 for the slide 37 on which is mounted the head 36 of the divider. The throw of this cam is so timed with reference to the movements of the chain carrier that the divider will rise and enter the chute and descend and withdraw from the trough 26 at the proper time.-

The means'for giving the divider its back and forth or-horizontal movement comprises a pitman 49 having one end slidingly connected with the head 36 by means of a slide 50 engaging with the head. This pitman 49 is connected at its other end with a carcarries rollers 62 (Figs. 1 and 13).

ways 60. In order to impart a reciprocating motion to the slide 59 and thereby an oscillating motion to the lever 53 to operate the pitman 49 and slide 51, the slide is provided with a bracket 61, (Fig. 13) which These rollers are engagedby the cam track 63 of a cam wheel 64. The rotation of this cam causes the slide 59 to reciprocate and there by oscillate the lever 53. The cam wheel 64 is mounted on the line shaft 145 driven by a belt pulley 65.

Referring again to the slide 51 it will be seen that it carries a detent 66 adapted to engage with the feeding chain in order to advance the chain with a step by step motion.

I will now refer to the endless chain mechanism. It comprises two polygonal drums 67 mounted, respectively, on shaft 68 carried in bearings on the upper end of the column 22 and the shaft 69 carriedon the upper end of the column 70. 'A beam 71 is carried by these shafts 68 and 69 and serves as a sort of bridge for the support of the upper branch of the endless chain. This chain is comprised of links 72 and interconnected by frames 73 having lugs 74 which by rivets 75 are connected to the links 72. One link on either side is pivoted to the adjacent frame and the adjoining link is rigidly fastened, in any suitable manner, to the frame, as indicated in Fig. 13.

Each of these frames has an opening beratchet at the two extremes of its adjusted position, its inner and outer positions.

The function of these blades carried by the chain is two-fold. They receive between each two of them the distinct separate quantities of matches, in the manner hereinbefore described, and they convey these quantities of matches through the trough 26 to the points of discharge, as will presently appear.

In order to adjust the blades radially so 7 that as they approach entrance into' the trough, as at the right hand end of Fig. 1, and be in readiness to be successively adjusted down into the trough and in between the arms of the divider, certain slide-'operating mechanism is employed.

This mechanism comprises a pair of vertically sliding bars and 81 which are connected together at the point 82 by suitable screws or bolts. These bars have arms 83 and 84, respectively, the latter adapted to act on the successive slides and adjust them inwardly, as shown in Figs. 1 and 10, and the former to likewise act on the slides to adjust them outwardly and into the trough 26, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.- V

Turning now to Fig. 10 the mechanism for operating these bars is shown. Itcomprises a rock arm 85 connected at one end by a pivoted link 86 to the bar 80 and at the other end to a pitman 87 whose lower end is pivoted to an actuating arm 88. The" arm 85 is supported on a pivot 89'sustained by a standard 90 while the actuating arm 88 is sustained by a pivot 91 carried by a bracket 92. These fixed parts are secured to the bed 23.

In order to reciprocate the bars 80 and 81 the actuating arm 88 is operated by a cam 93 which is mounted on the line shaft 145. The throw of this cam is so configuratedand timed that it will cause the descentof the charged at each of the exits 95 and 96. At

each exit there is provided a pair of gates 97 hinged by means of trunnions 98 mounted in plates 99 secured by screws 100 to the sides of the trough.

When the gates are closed they constitute in effect a continuation of the bottom of the trough. When opened they discharge the batch of matches between the two slides, as particularly shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

One means of opening and closing the gates, which preferably are opened and closed at the sametime, comprises the mechanism more particularly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It consists of inions 101 mounted on the trunnions 98 an engaged by slidable rack bars 102 which travel in suitable guides orways 103. These racks and pinions are alike for both pairs of gates. The racks for one pair are connected to the racks for the other pair by an intermediate rod 104:, so that both pairs of racks are operated by the vibrating lever 105 pivoted at 106 and connected to one pair of racks by a stud 107 extending from an extension 108. on one of the racks. A slot 109 in the lever 105 compensates for the motion between these parts, This lever 106 is actuated by a cam 110' mounted on a driving shaft 111. An extension 112 of the lever 105 carries a roller 113 which is engaged by the cam 110 to vibrate the lever 105 in one direction so as to move the racks and partially revolve the pinions 101 to open the gates. A springll l connected at one end to the bed 23 and at the other to the extension 112 of the lever 105 operates the lever ,in the'opposite direction and reverses the movement of the racks so as to close the gates. 'It will; be understood that the racks engage the'respective pinions at diametrically opposite points so that all the gates will open .byfone. movement and close by the other.

It will be understood that the movements of these parts are timed to agree with the arrival of the boxes that are tobe filled at points under the gates.

Referring again to the shaft 111 it is to be noted that it is mounted in brackets 115 secured to the under surface of the bed 23.

The means by which this shaft 111 is rotated will be hereinafter described.

In Fig. 7 a pair of gates s shown closed in full lines and open. in dotted lines. About each discharge opening in the trough is placed a discharge chute or guide for the matchescomposed of two plates 116, one at each side of the opening. Between these guides the gates swing open. The descending quantity of matches is thus guided by the combined action ofthe plates 116 acting on the ends of the matchesand the gates ,97'

acting on the sides of the ,matches. The bo xes,ia n example of which is shown at 117 in Figs. 8 and 9, are successively brought to a position wherethey embrace and overlap h guid flanges .8- I this wa the a ches of metsh s are pr pe y g to and delivered into the boxes. L

. Referring aga n o the acks and to Fig.

8 it will be seen that a cover plate 119 is securedto one side. of the trough 26 by screws 120 so as to inclose the racks and pinions. A strip 121 ispreferably secured to one side of the trough 26, as shownin which the boxes are successively presented to the discharge openings in the trough. See I particularly Figs, 1, 2 and 17. This mechanism comprises a table 122, adapted tobe rotated, ste by step, and to be elevated to and lowered rom the dischargeopenings. boxes are placed on this table between hol d' ers 122 in the nature of flanged strips. See Fig. 19. At the proper time, or when both pairs of gates are opened the table moves upward and presents one box 117 under each opening, as shown in Fig. '8. In order that the table shall have these two motions, the rotatable and perpendicular, it is mounted on asleeve 123 which rotates and slides on a hollow bearing 124 secured to the bed 23. A disk 125 is secured to the sleeve 123 so that when the disk is rotated it rotates the sleeve and thereby the table. The devices for rotating this disk comprise a ring 126 mounted on the bed 23-under clips 127 and a ainst' the base flange of the bearing 124. The disk 125 has a series of peripheral notches 128 into any one of which an actuate ing arm 129 may enter, this arm being secured to the operating ring 126 so that a rotary movement of this ring will be imparted through the arm 129 and the disk 125 to the sleeve 123 and thence to the table 122 This ring 126 is given a rotary reciprocating motion by means of a lever 130 pivoted at 131 to the under part of the bedand at the other end connected by a link 132, (see Figs. 17, 21 and 22) ,to the ring 126. A screw 132 connects the link with the lever. The other end of the link is connected to the ring 126 by a bolt 126*" which passes through a slot 127 in the bed 23. (SeeFigs. 17, 21 and 22.) The lever 130 is swung in one direction by a cam and'in the other by a spring 130*. When the cam moves the lever the table is rotated a step. When the spring moves the lever the table with the disk 125 will have been elevated to a point which will break the engagement between the disk 125 and the arm 129. The return movement of'the lever and therefore of the ring 126 and the arm 129 has no effect upon the table. This cam referred to ,comprises a body 133 mounted on the shaft 111 and havingra cam surface 134 which acts on the lever 130 through a roller 135 carried b a stud shaft 136 secured to the lever 130. This cam surface 13 1 thereby shifts the The cams will be seen.- The master'drive shaft 132 gives the rotary reciprocating movement to the ring 126. Just after the box table has been given its reciprocatory and vertical movements above described, it is held from further rotation by the standard 129 which is secured to the base 23, while at the same time the boxes are being filled and the ring 126 returns to normal position.

Referring now to the mechanism for elevating and lowering the table 122 attention is directed to the shaft 137, (Fig. 17), which is mounted in bushings Within the sleeve bearing 124. The table turns freely on this shaft, ball bearings 138 and 139 being preferably employed to reduce friction so that when the table is rotated by the means already described it turns freely on the shaft 137 whose function is to raise and lower the table. To impart the movements to the shaft 137 it is equipped with a roller 140, as shown in Figs. 1 and 17, which travels in a cam way 141 whose configuration and position act to raise and lower the shaft at the proper time, to present the table to and remove it from the trough 26 at the time the boxes are being filled and presented under the gates. The lower end of the shaft 137 is extended down and bifurcated, as shown in Figs. 1 and 17, at 142, the bifurcation embracing the shaft 111 to aid in guiding th shaft 137 in itsvertical movements.

: Referring now to Fig. 25 the arrangement of the several shafts with. the gears. and

15 has a pinion 143 preferably having twenty-three teeth which meshes with a gear wheel 144preferably having sixty-six teeth. This gear is carried by a line'shaft 145 supported in suitable bearings carried by the tease. This shaft145 carries the cams 47"forelevating the dividers, the cam 93 for operatingv the rods 80 and 81 which actuate the blades 33 andthe' cam 64 which through intermediate devices advances the endless chain step by step and reciprocates the dividers. A gear 146 on the shaft 145 meshes with a gear 147 on an idler shaft148 carrying a pinion 149 which meshes with the gear 110 on the shaft 111. 146 and 147 are of equal diameter while the pinion 149 hastwenty teeth as compared with forty teeth in the gear 110 for the purpose of reducing the speed of the shaft 111. This shaft also carries the cam body 133 which carries the 0am surface 134 and the cam way 141. (See Fig. 17

. By slowing down the speed of the shaft 111 and its cams 110, 134. and 141 motions of the box table-rotary and vertical-ar e slowed down. This is done because on *each positioning of the table two batches are emptied at a time, while on the other handthe chain and slides advance only one batch at a time. To enable the chain to keep up the supply of batches of matches, one batch The gears being advanced with eachmovement of the chain, with the delivery of two batches of matches at a time, the speed of the table and its presentation of boxes must be slowed down to a less speed than that of the advance of the chain. 7

Referring to Figs. 15, 19 and 23 itwill be seen that I provide a device for spreading the side walls of the boxes should they be, as is often the case, bent inwardly to an extent that would interfere with their readily feeding over the guide flanges 118, as shown in Fig. 9. This device comprises a head 150 having inclined sides. 151 which readily enter the boxes, the head being 'secured'by an arm 152 to the column 70. This spreader is so located that it stands immediately over each successive box as the boxes are moved step by step. When the table 122 is raised the spreader will enter the box beneath it and force the sides outwardly to overcome the defective inwardposition of the sides.

box slightly inward to make it fit in the cor ners of the box holders122. V V

The next feature to which I would direct attention is that of a device I term a settler. (See Figs. 19 and 24.) Its function is to settle the matches down in the boxes so that they will lie properly therein and will not project above the top to interfere with the sliding of the cover member of the box over the body. This settler may be. made to act on the matches in one or more boxes. In the exemplification shown in the drawingthe settler is constructedto act uponthe matches in two boxes, one a half filled box and the other afully filled box. This device'com prises a shaft 154 supported'at one end in a bearing 155 carried by the column 27 and at the other end by a vibrating lever 156 pivoted 'at 157 to the trough 26 ,and connected at the other end to a pitman 158 which extion is given the shaft: 154. It is positioned" to lie over-boxes which have been half filled and wholly filled. This shaft carries two settler heads 160 for settling the matchesin ahalf filled box and for settling the:

This'head matches in a .fully filledbox. cgmprises a body 161 serrated along 'the lower face so that it will lightly take hold of the matches and settle them down as it reciprocates over and against them in shor ately after a box has rapid strokes. It has projections 162 which are slotted to fit over the'shaft 154. It is retained in proper position by a collar and set screw device 163. The slots permit the head to give up and down to avoid pressing upon the matches too severely.

Immediately after a box has been halt filled and while another box isbeing so filled it will stand under the settler 160 which will act on the matches therein, While immedi- 7 been fully filled it will pass under the settler170 where it will stand while thenext box is being fully filled, during which periodv the matches therein will also be settled.

From the foregoing. detail description it is thought that the mode of operation of the machine as a whole as well as the operation of the individual. parts will be fully understood. It will be noted, however, that for the first few minutes after the machine is started every other batch of matches will be discharged from the discharge station 9 before any of the batches are delivered from the station f. These few batches are caught in any convenient way, say in a box or other vessel, and reted to the machine by being placed in the chute 3. But as soon as the first batch reaches the discharge station 7 then from that time'on batches will be delivered from both stations 9 and f at the same time, those from thesta'tion f filling the first halt into the boxes and those from the station 9 filling thesecond half into the boxes; 7 p

By observing Fig. 19 it will be seen that the box table 122 rotates in the direction of the arrows, the boxesc'oming in succession to the station f being half filled by one batch and those coming to the station 9 being completely filled by another batch. The operator will preferably stand at the point 72 so as to pull or push each box as it comes along into a chute i and to replace it by another box at 7 In this" way the discharge and supply of boxes are kept up.

It will further be noted that by reason of the proper timing of the operating mechanism as before described the box'table 122 will at each step of its rotation present a box under each discharge station; and also that the table wlll rise the proper height as each box 15 properly pos tloned so astoset the boxes over the guidefiange 118, (Fig Also, that the gates will automatically open on'the final positioning of each; box and will automatically close as suchboxes arc impositioned, soa-s to bridge over the discharge opening in order that the su'cceeding batch of matches destined to the station 9 will be supportedin passing over stationf. It will be remembered that the carrying chain travels twice as fast as the rotation of the box table which is for the purposeof providing two batchesof matchesit has been divided off from the mass of matches.

This sub-division of the matches into sepaa rate catches also is of greatimportance in respect of being a safety measure by which any accidental fire is confined to the particular batch in which, it may originate, besides aflording that other advantage of delivering two measured, quantities at the same time from the stations f and g.

While I have shown and described certain constructions as embodying my invention, it will be understood that these have been shown for purposes of illustration only, and that I do not desire to be limited to such details, as obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having thus fully described my invention,.wha't I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

' 1. In a match-packing machine, the combination, of a divider adapted to enter into and withdraw from a quantity of matches for segregating separate batches of matches, with match-conveying means including de vices to receive each batch and maintain its segregation.

2. In a'mat'clrpaclzing machine, the combination, .of'a divider adapted to enter into and withdraw from a quantity of matches for segregating separate batches ofmatches, \VlLh matclrconveying means including devices to receive each batch and maintain its segregation, and discharge" devices to deliver each batch separately.

3. In a match-packing machine, the combination, of a divider adapted to enter into and withdraw from a quantity of matches for segreg ting separate batches of matches, with mMich-conveying means including de vices to receive each batch and maintain its segregation, and discharge devices each located at a separate station to deliver each a separate batch.

In a match-packin machine the com-. n u h o I bination, with a chute, and a divlder adapted to successively enter into; and withdraw from the chute to segregate successive batches from the'mass of matches, of a match-conveying means including a trough and slides, the latter adapted to receive between each two a batch of matches so di-' vided off and maintain its segregation. 

